NINGERUM TO STAGE 5TH SEL KAMBANG FESTIVAL

CAPTION: Cultural groups taking part in the Sel Kambang festival last year.

BY KENNY ROMANUS

NINGERUM Station in North Fly District, Western Province, has been selected to host the 5th Sel Kambang Festival from June 22 to 26, 2026, the first time the event will be held in a rural setting after four years in Kiunga.

The timing of the festival aligns with the Term 2 school holidays, with organisers placing a strong focus on involving young people.

The aim is to give students a chance to reconnect with their cultural roots, strengthen their sense of identity, and actively participate in traditional practices.

Festival Chairman Karu Philly said preparations are progressing well, with an estimated 300 to 400 participants expected to take part.

The program will include traditional dances, live band performances featuring local youth and invited artists, comedy segments, and a Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) mock battle display, among other attractions.

Mr Philly said the four main tribes of North Fly, the Awins, Yongoms, Ningerums, and Faiwols, will be at the forefront of the celebrations. He added that invitations have also been extended to groups from Middle Fly, Delta Fly, and South Fly, along with participants from other provinces to join under regional groupings.

He explained that moving the festival to Ningerum is part of an effort to decentralise major cultural events and ensure rural communities are included in district-level activities.

At the same time, the organising committee for the 2026 festival has been officially formed by the Ningerum Rural Local Level Government (LLG) in collaboration with key stakeholders to oversee planning, security, and overall coordination.

Local authorities are calling on communities, schools, and cultural groups to begin preparations early and take full part, noting that the festival is also expected to create income-generating opportunities for local vendors and small businesses.

The Sel Kambang Festival continues to gain momentum as a major cultural event in North Fly District, strengthening unity, preserving traditions, and supporting community development.